Armenian Dances (Part 1) - WBBDM02031 | Music

"Armenian Dances", Parts I and II, constitute a four-movement suite for concert band or wind ensemble based on authentic armenian folk songs from the collected works of Gomidas Vartabed (1869-1935), the founder of Armenian classical music. Part I, containing the first movement of this suite (the remaining three movements constituting Part II), is an extended symphonic rhapsody built upon five different songs, freely treated and developed in terms of the modern integrated concert band or wind ensemble. While the composer has kept his treatment of the melodies within the general limits imposed on the music by its very nature, he has not hesitated to expand the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic possibilities in keeping with the demands of a symphonic-instrumental, as opposed to an individual vocal or choral approach to is performance. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the overall effect of the music will be found to remain true in spirit to the work of this brilliant composer-musicologist, who almost single-handedly preserved and gave to the world a treasure trove of beautiful folk music that to this day has not yet beome as widely known in the Western world as it so richly deserves. It is hoped that this new instrumental setting will prove to be at least a small step in this direction.

Part I of "Armenian Dances" is built upon five Armenian folk songs, which were first notated, purified, researched, and later arranged by Gomidas Vartabed for solo voice with piano accompaniment or unaccompanied chorus. In order of their appearance in the score, they are: "Tzirani Tzar" (The Apricot Tree", "Gakavi Yerk" (Partidge's Song), "Hoy, Nazan Eem" (Hoy, my Nazan), "Alagyaz" and "Gna, Gna" (Go, Go).
"The Apricot Tree" consist of three organically connected songs that were transcribed in 1904. Its declamatory beginning, rhythmic vitality, and ornamentation make this song highly expressive.
"The Partridge's Song" is an original song by Gomidas; it was published in 1908 in Tiflis, Georgia. He originally arranged it for solo voice and children's choir and later for solo voice with piano accompaniment. It has a simple, delicate melodie that might perhaps be thought of as depicting the tiny steps of the partidge.
"Hoy Nazan Eem" was published in 1908 in a choral version arranged by Gomidas. This lively, lyric love song depicts a young man singing the praises of his beloved Nazan (a girl's name). The song has dance rhythms and ornamentation that make it an impressive, catchy tune.
"Alagyaz" (the name of a mountain in Armenia) was first written by Gomidas for solo voice with piano accompaniment and also in a choral arrangement. It is a beloved Armenian folk song, and its long-breathed melody is as majestic as the mountain itself.
"Go, Go" is a humorous, light-textured tune. In performance, Gomidas coupled it with a constrasting slower song, "The Jug". Its repeated note pattern musically depicts the expression of laughter. This song also is in recitative style.

Part I of "Armenian Dances" was completed in the summer of 1972 and first performed by Dr. Harry Begian (to whom the work is dedicated) and the University of Illinois Symphonic Band, 1973, at the CBDNA Convention in Urbana, Illinois. It is one of the "Classics" for concert band or wind ensemble.

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